Drip irrigation hose with emitters having different discharge rates

ABSTRACT

An improved drip irrigation hose is provided. The hose has a water supply passage and a plurality of flow regulating channels manufactured into the hose that are smaller than the water supply passage. The flow regulating channels each comprise a predesignated geometry to provide a desired discharge rate at a given pressure, an inlet section comprising one or more openings connecting the water supply passage to that flow regulating channel, and an outlet section comprising one or more openings connecting that flow regulating channel to the exterior of the hose. The plurality of flow regulating channels have at least two different geometries to provide at least two different discharge rates at the given pressure. field. This invention has value to the irrigation designer in that it allows the designer to select emitter characteristics depending on the position of the emitter in the field.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/109,667, filed Nov. 20, 1998, the entire disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Drip irrigation systems have come into widespread use in theagricultural area. Drip irrigation systems supply water at a slow,controlled rate to the root zone of the particular plants beingirrigated. Typically, drip irrigation is accomplished by providing a lowvolume water outlet at each plant that permits a limited dripping ofwater directly to the root zone of the particular plant. Becauseevaporation, runoff, overwatering, and watering beyond the root zone areeliminated, substantial water and nutrient savings are realized. Inaddition, drip irrigation reduces contaminants to the water table byenabling the farmer to supply only enough water and fertilizer to reachthe plants, reducing excess water that would run off and contaminate thewater table below.

[0003] Drip irrigation hoses tend to be relatively long to be able toextend across a field. As the water travels along the hose away from thewater source, the pressure of the water decreases. Thus, the waterpressure at the beginning of the hose (near the water source) is greaterthan that at the far end of the hose. Because the drip rate of the hoseis a function of the water pressure, the drip rate at the beginning ofthe hose tends to be greater than at the end of the hose. Other fieldconditions, such as elevation, also affect the pressure, and thus thedrip rate, along the length of the hose. However, it is often desirableto have a relatively uniform drip rate along the length of the hose.Moreover, other varying field conditions, such as soil type anddrainage, create a need to have different drip rates throughout thefield to compensate for the different field conditions.

[0004] One proposed solution to the pressure variation problems is toincorporate pressure-compensating emitters into the hoses to reduce theeffect of the pressure difference over the length of the hose on thedrip rate along the length of the hose. Such hoses are described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/308,060, entitled “Pressure-CompensatingDrip Irrigation Hose and Method for Its Manufacture”. However, althoughthese designs address certain pressure-compensation issues, they do notprovide a way to provide predetermined drip rates that vary along thehose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to drip irrigation hosinghaving a series of emitters that differ in geometry to provide differentpredetermined discharge rates throughout a field. This invention hasvalue to the irrigation designer in that it allows the designer toselect emitter characteristics depending on the position of the emitterin the field. For instance, the position of the emitter in the field maysubject it to a different supply pressure than if it were at a differentlocation in the field. The supply pressure at different locations willvary as ground elevation changes or as the distance between the mainwater supply and the emitter increases. Changes in supply pressureaffect discharge rate and uniformity of water distribution if allemitters are identical. Therefore it is desirable to vary the emitterdischarge to compensate for changes in topography. Additionally it isdesirable to vary the discharge rate of the emitters as soil type anddrainage change with field position. The invention can be used for alltypes of drip irrigation hosing, including collapsible tubing,regardless of method of manufacturing, seamless, folded or otherwise,and hard hose.

[0006] In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a drip irrigationhose having a water supply passage and a plurality of flow regulatingchannels manufactured into the hose that are smaller than the watersupply passage. The flow regulating channels each comprise apredesignated geometry to provide a desired discharge rate at a givenpressure, an inlet section comprising one or more openings connectingthe water supply passage to that flow regulating channel, and an outletsection comprising one or more openings connecting that flow regulatingchannel to the exterior of the hose. The plurality of flow regulatingchannels have at least two different geometries to provide at least twodifferent discharge rates at the given pressure.

[0007] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method forproviding generally uniform irrigation in a field. A hose ismanufactured having first and second ends, a water supply passage and aplurality of flow regulating channels as described above. The flowregulating channels nearer the first end of the hose have geometriesdifferent from the geometries of the flow regulating channels nearer thesecond end of the hose so that, at a given pressure, the flow regulatingchannels nearer the second end have a greater discharge rate than theflow regulating channels nearer the first end of the hose. The hose isplaced in the field with the first end of the hose connected to a watersupply source. Water is introduced through the hose, whereby thedischarge rates of the flow regulating channels are generally uniformover the length of the hose. This method eliminates difference isdischarge rates due to pressure differences at the different flowregulating channels due to distance from the water supply source.

[0008] In another embodiment the invention is directed to a method forproviding generally uniform irrigation in a field having differentelevations. This method eliminates differences in discharge rates due topressure differences at the different flow regulating channels due toelevation differences of the flow regulating channels. In accordancewith the method, the topography of the field is mapped. A hose ismanufactured having first and second ends, a water supply passage and aplurality of flow regulating channels, as described above. The pluralityof flow regulating channels have at least two different geometries toprovide at least two different discharge rates at the given pressure.The hose is placed in the field so that the flow regulating channelsthat produce higher discharge rates are positioned at higher elevationsthan the flow regulating channels that produce lower discharge rates.Water is introduced through the hose. The discharge rates of the flowregulating channels are generally uniform over the length of the hose.

[0009] In another embodiment the invention is directed to a method forirrigating a field having different soil conditions, such as differentsoil types or drainage differences. The method comprises manufacturing ahose having first and second ends, a water supply passage and aplurality of flow regulating channels, as described above. The pluralityof flow regulating channels have at least two different geometries toprovide at least two different discharge rates at the given pressure.The hose is placed in the field so that the flow regulating channelshaving higher discharge rates are positioned near soil conditions wherea higher discharge rate is desired, and flow regulating channels havinglower discharge rates are positioned near soil conditions where a lowerdischarge rate is desired. Water is introduced through the hose.

[0010] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an improvedmethod for manufacturing a drip irrigation hose having a water supplypassage and a plurality of flow regulating channels having across-sectional area smaller than that of the water supply passage. Theimprovement comprises varying the geometries of the flow regulatingchannels so that the plurality of flow regulating channels have at leasttwo different geometries to provide at least two different dischargerates at a given pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drip irrigation hose havinga flow regulating channel between its margins.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of a flow regulating channelaccording to the invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the method for making adrip irrigation hose of the continuous emitter type.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the film path formaking a drip irrigation hose in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention is directed to drip irrigation hosinghaving a series of emitters that differ in geometry to provide differentdischarge rates throughout a field. In a particularly preferredembodiment, the invention is directed to a continuous tape with eachemitter discharge rate adjusted to conform to specific irrigation needsat a particular location in a field layout.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a flexible drip irrigation hose 10 (commonlyreferred to as “tape”) is made from an elongated strip of plastic film14, which is typically 4 to 15 mil thick. The film 14 can be made of anysuitable material, for example, a laminate of high density polyethyleneor polypropylene. Film 14 is folded longitudinally to form overlappinginner and outer longitudinal margins 16 and 18, thus creating a seam. Afirst longitudinal rib 20 partially seals margins 16 and 18. A secondlongitudinal rib 22, outboard of rib 20, completely seals margins 16 and18. Ribs 20 and 22 contain a repeating longitudinal pattern that definesa series of small flow regulating channels 24 along the length of thehose 10. By virtue of the longitudinal fold in film 14, the interiorsurface of film 14 defines a relatively large water supply passage 26.The water supply passage 26 is connected to a source of water underpressure, not shown. Examples of such constructions are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,247,051, 4,984,739, 5,282,578, and 5,522,551, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the flow regulating channels 24 (i.e.,emitter regions) each have an inlet section 28, a turbulent flow section30, and an outlet section 32. For each flow regulating channel 24, theinlet section 28 comprises one or more inlet openings to allow water toflow from the water supply passage 26 into the flow regulating channel24. In the depicted embodiment, 35 the inlet section 28 comprises aplurality of pillars 36 between which are formed openings 38. As wouldbe recognized by one skilled in the art, the inlet section 28 can haveany other design that permits water to enter the flow regulating channel24 from the water supply passage 26.

[0019] The flow regulating channels 24 each have a much smallercross-sectional area than the water supply passage 26. Thecross-sectional area of the water supply passage 26 is preferably fromabout 20 to 300 times, more preferably from about 50 to 200 times,larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow regulating channel 24.Accordingly, each flow regulating channel 24 creates a passage betweenthe water supply passage 26 and the outside of the hose 10 that controlsthe flow rate of the water flowing through it.

[0020] The flow regulating channels 24 can have any other design as isknown in the art. For example, the turbulent flow section 30 can beformed of a series of chevrons, by a series of walls that form aserpentine path, or by any other configuration that creates turbulentflow. However, the turbulent flow section can be omitted if desired andreplaced with a straight-path channel.

[0021]FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a method for making the drip irrigation hoseshown in FIG. 1. As represented by a block 70, the outlets 44 are firstformed in film 14. Preferably each outlet 44 comprises a singlelongitudinal slit in the film 14. A preferred method and apparatus forforming such a knife-formed slit outlet is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,522,551, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.Any other suitable method known in the art for providing outlets canalso be used.

[0022] As represented by block 72, the inner margin 16 is then folded.As represented by block 74, one or more beads are laid on the outsidesurface of the inner margin 14 by one or more extrusion nozzles. Asrepresented by block 76, a pattern is formed in ribs 20 and 22 by amolding wheel. As represented by block 78, outer margin 18 is thenfolded onto inner margin 16, with the formed ribs therebetween. Finally,as represented by block 80, flow regulating passage 24 is finished bypassing inner margin 16, outer margin 18, and the ribs 20 and 22 throughthe nip of a form wheel and a backing wheel to set precisely the heightof the ribs.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly station for performing theabove-described steps. One or more extrusion nozzles 82 deposit one ormore continuous longitudinal beads 84 (in the form of hot molten glue orresin) on the outside surface of the inner margin 16. The film 14 ispassed through the nip of a rotating molding wheel 86 and a rotatingbacking wheel 88. The molding wheel 86 contains a pattern of depressions90 corresponding to the desired raised rib pattern, i.e., a pattern suchas that shown in FIG. 2. In the nip, beads 84 are shaped by moldingwheel 86 to form the desired bead pattern on film 14 for the entirelength of the hose 10. After leaving the nip of wheels 86 and 88, theexternal margin 18 of the film 14 is folded by a guide 92 to overlap theinner margin 16. Finally, the overlapped margins of the film 14 passthrough the nip of a form wheel 94 and a second backing wheel 96. Theform wheel 94 has a groove 98 that depresses the ribs formed by thebeads 84 to set the rib height at a specified value that determines theflow rate of the hose 10. During the described process, the film 14 iscontinuously transported by a conventional means, not shown. Forexample, the disclosed wheels could be driven, or other drive wheelscould be provided, to transport the film.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, as the hose is being made, the heightof each flow regulating channel 24 is adjusted on an individual basisusing a track controller. The track controller is a device that shapesthe final height of the bead pattern by passing it between two rollers.The space between the rollers is adjusted by controlling the position ofone of the rollers with an electronically-controlled linear actuator.The input signal to the actuator is provided by a computer and isprogrammed to correspond with a signal from a footage counter locatingthe position on the hose. It is important to control the amount of glueextruded to form the beads to ensure that glue starvation is not anissue. The extruder output is tied in to the track controller.

[0025] As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, other aspectsof the flow regulating channel 24 geometry can be changed in addition toor instead of the height, such as the width of the flow regulatingchannel, the size of the inlets openings, the size of the outlets 44,the number and/or arrangement of the chevrons in the turbulent flowsection 30 or the length of the turbulent flow section. For example, asthe length of the turbulent flow section is increased, the pressure dropacross the turbulent flow section will increase. For convenience, theflow regulating channels 24 can be numbered (or otherwise indicated orcoded) and the corresponding track height (or other geometry variation),and therefore discharge rate, can be identified with a particularposition on the hose 10.

[0026] The information for adjusting the geometry of the flow regulatingchannels 24 can be provided in any suitable manner. In one embodiment,GPS (global position satellite) mapping techniques are used to map thetopography of the field in which the hose is to be placed. The GPS mapcan be sent electronically to the computer and can be used to sendinformation to the track controller. Additionally, the GPS mapconfiguration can be fed into the assembly mach computer to andautomatically mark information, such as “roll # of a total # of rolls”,on the hose so that the farmer can distinguish between the rolls forproper placement in the field. The track controller change being linkedto the footage provides the information required by the assembly machinecomputer to make the labels according to the product and product sectionmade. Other surveying techniques could be similarly used to provide amap of the field.

[0027] Also, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, the flowregulating channels 24 need not be formed in the margins 16 and 18 ofthe hose 10, but can be provided at any location on the hose. Forexample, it is known in the art to provide discrete flexible emitters(not shown) that are adhered or otherwise bonded to the interior orexterior of the hose, with each emitter having a flow regulating channel24 as described above. For example, flexible discrete external emitterscan be adhered to the exterior of the hose, as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/136,354, entitled “External Emitter for DripIrrigation Hose”, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.Alternatively, emitters can be penetrably mounted within the wall of thehose, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,850,531, 4,077,570 and 3,970,251,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Inaccordance with the invention, a number of discrete emitters (i.e., flowregulating channels) having different geometries are preferablymanufactured into the hose to provide a complete product to the farmer.In other words, the hose is designed and manufactured to conform to afarmer's particular field conditions so that the farmer can simply laythe hose without having to insert or replace the emitters to achieve thedesired drip rates. The emitters having different geometries can be madeby any method known to those skilled in the art, such as injection,insert, or sequential molding. The hose (or tape) can also bemanufactured by any method known in the art, such as by providing a filmwith overlapping margins, as described above, or by extrusion. Theemitters can then be attached to the inside or outside of the hose byany of several methods including, but not limited to, adhesive bonding,solvent bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding and penetration.The emitters are attached to the hose so that an emitter having a givengeometry (and therefore a given drip rate at a certain pressure) isprovided in a location on the hose that will ultimately be placed in alocation in a field having characteristics that correspond to the givendrip rate.

[0028] Alternatively, a continuous emitter can be bonded to the hose,where the continuous emitter has a series of flow regulating channels 24along its length. In this embodiment, the continuous emitter can bepre-formed having flow regulating channels 24 having varying geometries,e.g., varying height, width, inlet size or outlet size, as desired for aparticular field. The pre-formed continuous emitter can then bemanufactured into the irrigation hose by bonding it to the hose in anysuitable manner known in the art. For example, the emitter can beextruded and formed by means of an embossing or imprinting tool. Thistechnique is particularly useful if the hose is also being extruded.Thus, a continuous emitter could be extruded and formed, then insertedinto a die center around which a hose is extruded. As the emitter andhose are extruded together, the emitter would be formed and adhered tothe hose before it is cooled. Alternatively, the continuous emittercould be extruded and formed offline, and then fed through a hole in thedie through which a hose is extruded. In another embodiment, thecontinuous emitter could be fed and joined to a long continuous stripthat is then folded to form a hose.

[0029] In another embodiment, the drip irrigation hose is a hard hosehaving a plurality of discrete emitters (i.e., flow regulating channels)provided therein, as is known in the art and described, for example, inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,111,996 and 4,824,025. In accordance with theinvention, the emitters can have varying geometries, for example, fromfive to fifteen different geometries, to provide for different driprates. As the hard hose is extruded, the emitters having differentgeometries are inserted into the hose in a predetermined order so thatthe emitters are positioned in the hose to correspond to the fieldconditions in the field in which the hose is to be placed.

[0030] Preferably, regardless of the type of emitter used, the emittercharacteristics or ratings are varied under computer control duringmanufacture to match the field location where the segment of hose inquestion is to be laid in the course of its installation. The fieldwhere the hose is to be laid is mapped so each area of the field isuniquely identified. The mapped areas of the field and the length ofhose to be installed in the field are marked according to thisidentification. For example, one corner of the field could be marked asrow 1, point a . . . , to point n at the other end of the field; Next torow 1, is row 2, point a, . . . , to point n at the other end of thefield, etc. to row n. Thus, a visible grid of rows and points is formedon the field to assist the field workers lay the hose so the positionsof its emitters are congruent with the positions of the field where theemitters are supposed to be according to their discharge rates. The hoseis marked by the computer in coordination with the control of thedischarge rate. As a result, the field workers can proper lay the hoseby matching the markings on the hose with the markings on the field.

[0031] The invention is not limited to fixed geometry emitters over thelength of the hose, but also allows for varying geometry(pressure-compensating) emitters with different target flows positionedalong the run. A combination of these concepts is useful, for example,where the geometry of the emitters is altered to account for changes insoil conditions and the emitters are also pressure-compensating toaccount for changes in pressure along the length of the hose.

[0032] The inventive hoses have numerous applications. The inventionpermits customer-unique irrigation products using specific flow rateemitters with different flow rates positioned specifically over thelength of a customer's run as a means of accommodating changes inelevation or as a means of accommodating changes in supply pressure overthe specific length of the run. For example, the hose can be designed togradually increase the output towards the end of the run to compensatefor pressure decreases along the run. This will allow the length of runto be extended while maintaining the distribution uniformity.

[0033] Additionally, customized hose can be made to have differentsections with different flows to account for variations in soilconditions or crop requirements. Sandy soil may require higher flow thanwould clay soil. With the farmer being able to plot GPS maps of theirfield and identify different soil characteristics, a custom tape can bemade to match the different flow requirements of that field. In additionto varying emitter flow rates, variations in emitter spacing may beemployed as a means of accounting for customer unique requirements. Forexample, a denser population of lower flow emitters may be provided ifadvantageous for specific soil conditions.

[0034] Moreover, non-customer specific irrigation products could bedesigned that use fixed geometry emitters of varying flow ratecapabilities specifically positioned over the length of a run as a meansof accommodating changes in pressure along a level or slightly slopingrun.

[0035] In accordance with the invention, specific emittercharacteristics are provided on the hoses to assist the farmer withinstallation. Generally the hose is provided to the farmer in rolls.Information is put on the rolls in such a way as to account for specificcustomer installation patterns. For example, the information wouldrecite “lay down four parallel rows driving away from the water header,skip four rows, and drive back towards the water header.” Otherinstallation could information could be provided as desired.

[0036] In another aspect of the invention, a system is provided thatstores customer field information, such as topography, soil conditions,and drainage requirements, for purposes of providing customer specificirrigation products on a periodic basis. Additionally, the system canautomatically update customer specific irrigation products in responseto crop yield information (provided by satellite sensing, airbornesensing, or other means), or in response to changes in crops planted.

[0037] The invention is also directed to a manufacturing process thatallows sales managers, dealers, customers or other personnel to usesoftware to convert field characteristic data into specific irrigationlayout designs, which are fed electronically to the hose manufacturingequipment, and customer specific product is automatically produced.Field characteristic data includes, but is not limited to, soilconditions, target flow rates, installation patterns, topography, andcrops planted.

[0038] In another aspect, the invention is direct to a method forimproving discharge rate uniformity by controlling the flow rate of theheader pipe, to which the individual irrigation hoses are connected. Inone embodiment, the header pipe is designed to selectively deploydifferent flow rates to the individual hoses that extend throughout thefield. Selective deployment of different flow rates is accomplished byvarying the geometry, e.g., the cross-sectional area, of the headerpipe.

[0039] The above-described embodiments of the invention are onlyconsidered to be preferred and illustrative of the inventive concepts.The scope of the invention is not to be restricted to such embodiments.Various and numerous other arrangements may be devised by one skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A drip irrigation hose having a water supply passage and a pluralityof flow regulating channels manufactured into the hose that are smallerthan the water supply passage, the flow regulating channels eachcomprising: a predesignated geometry to provide a desired discharge rateat a given pressure, an inlet section comprising one or more openingsconnecting the water supply passage to that flow regulating channel, andan outlet section comprising one or more openings connecting that flowregulating channel to the exterior of the hose, wherein the plurality offlow regulating channels have at least two different geometries toprovide at least two different discharge rates at the given pressure. 2.A hose according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow regulatingchannels have at least two different heights to provide at least twodifferent discharge rates at the given pressure.
 3. A hose according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of flow regulating channels have at leasttwo different widths to provide at least two different discharge ratesat the given pressure.
 4. A hose according to claim 1, having a firstend for connection to a water supply source and a second end, whereinthe flow regulating channels nearer the first end of the hose havegeometries different from the geometries of the flow regulating channelsnearer the second end of the hose so that, at a given pressure, the flowregulating channels nearer the second end have a greater discharge ratethan the flow regulating channels nearer the first end of the hose, andso that, when the first end of the hose is connected to the water supplysource, the discharge rates of the flow regulating channels aregenerally uniform over the length of the hose.
 5. A hose according toclaim 1, wherein each flow regulating channel has a fixed geometry.
 6. Ahose according to claim 1, wherein each flow regulating channel has avarying geometry.
 7. A hose according to claim 1, wherein the flowregulating channels each further comprise a turbulent flow section.
 8. Ahose according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow regulatingchannels have turbulent flow sections having at least two differentlengths to provide at least two different discharge rates at the givenpressure.
 9. A method for providing generally uniform irrigation in afield comprising: manufacturing a hose having first and second ends, awater supply passage and a plurality of flow regulating channels thatare smaller than the water supply passage, the flow regulating channelseach comprising: a predesignated geometry to provide a desired dischargerate at a given pressure, an inlet section comprising one or moreopenings connecting the water supply passage to that flow regulatingchannel, and an outlet section comprising one or more openingsconnecting the flow regulating channel to the exterior of the hose,wherein the flow regulating channels nearer the first end of the hosehave geometries different from the geometries of the flow regulatingchannels nearer the second end of the hose so that, at a given pressure,the flow regulating channels nearer the second end have a greaterdischarge rate than the flow regulating channels nearer the first end ofthe hose; placing the hose in the field with the first end of the hoseconnected to a water supply source; and introducing water through thehose, whereby the discharge rates of the flow regulating channels aregenerally uniform over the length of the hose.
 10. A method forproviding generally uniform irrigation in a field having differentelevations, the method comprising: mapping the topography of the field;manufacturing a hose having first and second ends, a water supplypassage and a plurality of flow regulating channels that are smallerthan the water supply passage, the flow regulating channels eachcomprising: a predesignated geometry to provide a desired discharge rateat a given pressure, an inlet section comprising one or more openingsconnecting the water supply passage to that flow regulating channel, andan outlet section comprising one or more openings connecting that flowregulating channel to the exterior of the hose, wherein the plurality offlow regulating channels have at least two different geometries toprovide at least two different discharge rates at the given pressure;placing the hose in the field so that the flow regulating channels theproduce higher discharge rates are positioned at higher elevations thanthe flow regulating channels that produce lower discharge rates; andintroducing water through the hose, whereby the discharge rates of theflow regulating channels are generally uniform over the length of thehose.
 11. A method for irrigating a field having different soilconditions, the method comprising: manufacturing a hose having first andsecond ends, a water supply passage and a plurality of flow regulatingchannels that are smaller than the water supply passage, the flowregulating channels each comprising: a predesignated geometry to providea desired discharge rate at a given pressure, an inlet sectioncomprising one or more openings connecting the water supply passage tothat flow regulating channel, and an outlet section comprising one ormore openings connecting that flow regulating channel to the exterior ofthe hose, wherein the plurality of flow regulating channels have atleast two different geometries to provide at least two differentdischarge rates at the given pressure; placing the hose in the field sothat the flow regulating channels having higher discharge rates arepositioned near soil conditions where a higher discharge rate is desiredand flow regulating channels having lower discharge rates are positionednear soil conditions where a lower discharge rate is desired; andintroducing water through the hose.
 12. A method for manufacturing adrip irrigation hose having a water supply passage and a plurality offlow regulating channels having a cross-sectional area smaller than thatof the water supply passage, the improvement comprising varying thegeometries of the flow regulating channels so that the plurality of flowregulating channels have at least two different geometries to provide atleast two different discharge rates at a given pressure.
 13. The methodof claim 12, comprising varying the heights of the flow regulatingchannels.
 14. The method of claim 12, comprising varying the widths ofthe flow regulating channels.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein theflow regulating channel comprises a turbulent flow section.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, comprising varying the length of the turbulent flowsection.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the hose is formed from afilm having first and second margins that overlap each other, andfurther wherein the flow regulating channel is formed between themargins of the film.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising varying theheight of the flow regulating channel.